AS the Department of Education is pushing for the conduct of virtual classes, the vice chairman of the House Committee on Good Government on Thursday urged the government to put a cap on prices of computer.
Cavite Rep. Abraham Tolentino said the sudden spike in prices of laptops and desktops was apparently triggered by government’s decision to put on hold face-to-face classes in most parts of the country.
“Prices of computers and mobile phones have become quite restrictive. Dropout rate will soar unless government swiftly acts on the problem,” he warned.
According to Tolentino, computers and other communication gadgets have become basic tools of learning and are necessary for educating the youth as the Covid-19 pandemic continue to threaten the public.
Meanwhile, he asked the local government units to closely monitor the prices of computer gadgets and set up desks to assist the public, including teachers, in choosing the right equipment for students.
“Computers sales have soared, so did the prices,” said Tolentino as he aired the suspicion that basic and lower priced laptops and desktops have fast disappeared in the market.
Tolentino also asked the government to look into several complaints against the rising prices of computers and other communications gadget.
He said a number of parents and students have started complaining that laptops with Core 1.3 processors that used to sell from P20,000 to P24,000 prior to the pandemic period, now cost P28,000 to P34,000.
“Unless government intercedes in behalf of parents and students, the state will be reneging on its duty to protect and promote the right of all citizens, particularly the youth, to quality education,” said Tolentino, also the chairman of the House Committee on Accounts.
He said the cost of computers and other communications gadgets will rise further as the need for learning via Internet becomes more necessary in the country’s educational system under the Covid-19 pandemic condition.
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